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Apr. 5th, 2018

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Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1)Author: Kerri ManiscalcoFormat: EpubRating: 4/5Status: FinishedReading Date: April 3, 2018 to April 5, 2018Book Summary: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.Book Review: I had this book on my Nook since it came out. I had always promised myself I would read it but I kept pushing it back on the burner during the course of my Mother's illness and work last year. Now I really wish I had not.

The Historical Period

The year is 1888 and the place is Whitechapel. Before he was known as Jack the Ripper, he was also known as the Leather Apron. Regardless of what you call him now, he is still the same killer and still prayed on the same sort of women - prostitutes. In his wake, he killed roughly five women but there really is no telling if there were any more than that. After his left kill, he seemed to disappear all together. No one knows what really happened to him or whom he was. There was many suspects out there one even leading to the Royal Family itself.

The Characters

Audrey Rose - Audrey was born in the wrong century. At a young age, her mother died and her father has somewhat become far more overprotective of her. He believes that she should be taking lessons from her aunt on how to be a proper lady but Audrey would rather be learning science and cutting up bodies to see the inner workings of the body. When the Ripper murders begin, Normally able to detach herself from the autopsies she performs with her uncle and another student, Audrey finds herself shaken as she takes a look at the body of one of the prostitutes recognizing her as one of her servants from when she was a child. Then she learns that another one survived briefly believing that the Ripper had started his killings earlier. With the help of the most insufferable male, Audrey is determined to find out who the Ripper is but some secrets are better left to the shadows of Whitechapel and history.

Thomas Cresswell - Thomas is brilliant mind. When we first meet him, he is but a shadow talking to Audrey's uncle during one of the autopsies that she does. The second time we see him, we find him a student within her uncle's classroom. His mind is brilliant and his observations are always on target. For Audrey, he is insufferable, always managing to get underneath her skin. Even worse, he takes it upon himself to follow her to keep her safe from the Ripper and help her solve the mystery.

My Thoughts

The Ripper murders still ripple through time even now. There has never been anyone brought to justice nor has there been any strong indiction of whom the Ripper actually could be. There have been theories and some point strongly to the some members of the Royal Family. I have to admit that much like the murders of the Romanovs, this continues to fascinate me as well. The idea that anyone has been able to allude capture can make a person wonder how he had done it. Of course there are rumors that he came here to America and continued his murders but much like those at Whitechapel, they stopped.

All theories and conspiracies aside, I must say this book was hard to put down and I really wished I had picked up this book up earlier. It is really worth the read. The characters are connectable and the history of the period will draw you in. The ending will leave you stunned but excited for the next book in the series.

I wish more than ever that I had picked up this book earlier. I had this book on my Nook and unfortunately life has a way of forcing you to put books on the back burner but I think now with the things being a bit the way they are, I was able to escape into a part of history that continues to not only fascinate myself but the rest of the world itself. I love it when books do that and draw you in. Those are the type of books that I absolutely love and adore and wish a lot of reads I have done would do the same.

So if you are a fan of history especially the setting of the Jack the Ripper murders, then this book is definitely for you. But be warned: this book does have some gory details especially when describing the murders and autopsies. If those make you squimish, then this book would not be for you.